Chapter 5

When Akito got home, his mom had already set the table with a variety of dishes. Akito threw his backpack aside and rushed to the dining table. "Mom, is today a special day? Why did you cook so many good dishes?"

A person walked out from the kitchen, holding a large plate of dishes. She put down the food, wiped her hands on her apron, and said, "Isn't there a mid-term exam tomorrow? I need to make sure you're well-fed and ready."

Akito's heart trembled. The door was knocked, and Akito opened it, shouting, "Dad!"

His dad had a stern face and didn't say anything.

The dinner was eaten in a stifling and tasteless atmosphere. Akito's dad had just taken a few bites when he suddenly slammed his tea cup onto the table. "Middle school students don't study well, and they dye their hair that color. What kind of appearance is this? Like a ruffian!"

Akito carefully stopped chewing, not daring to speak.

Akito's mom said, "It's rare for the whole family to have a meal together. What's the fuss about?"

After a long persuasion, the dining table finally calmed down a bit. Akito's mom smiled and said, "What's wrong with him? Akito has always been the most timid and obedient since he was a child. He wouldn't approach anything significant. Your worry is groundless."

Akito put down his chopsticks. "Mom and Dad, I'm full. I'll go do my homework."

After saying that, he escaped back to his room. In his room, Akito scratched his head, thinking, if he ranked poorly on this test tomorrow, he could only expect to be scolded severely.

But after staying up until late at night, he had only memorized the classical Chinese reluctantly. Before falling asleep, he was still drawing unfamiliar characters on the paper, repeating to himself, "After memorizing this, I'll review the math formulas."

However, he accidentally fell asleep. The next day, during the math exam in the afternoon, he still didn't understand most of the questions. This time, they were assigned to different classrooms based on their scores, and there wasn't anyone nearby he could copy from.

After two days of exams, when the second day was over, and Nick came to find Akito to go out, Akito's eyes were bloodshot.

Akito grabbed Nick's arm and said, "Today, let's have some real fun..."

If they didn't play today, they might not get the chance later.

With fewer students, the teachers were efficient, and the papers were quickly graded. They received all the papers the next day.

Akito looked down at the dismal score, indicating a bleak future. Indeed, having a good time yesterday was a wise choice.

While handing out the papers, the teacher kept muttering, "Akito, what kind of score is this? Have you really been to elementary and middle school?"

Akito clutched the paper, and the more he held it, the more tightly it wrinkled, just like the wrinkles on the physics teacher's face.

At the blackboard, Akito kept his head down, listening sometimes, remembering sometimes, and his mind buzzed with thousands of bees, buzzing and buzzing.

Ryohei was also writing non-stop, head bowed.

When the bell for lunch rang, all the students became lively again. Ryohei passed by Akito, "Akito, this time the exam questions were indeed challenging. Let me explain to you..."

Akito suddenly stood up and roared, "Shut up!" He grabbed the exercises that Ryohei had been working on for a whole class, tore them into pieces, and then threw them into the trash can next to the lectern.

Ryohei just put down his hands without saying a word, showing no sign of anger.

Akito also fell silent. 

The time passed with two more classes. The teacher continued to write and speak at the podium, and Ryohei kept his eyes on the blackboard, occasionally listening, occasionally jotting down notes, never looking away.

When the lunch bell finally rang, the students came to life. Ryohei bypassed Akito and exited the classroom. Akito sat there in silence. As students left in pairs and groups, a girl passing by asked Akito, "Why aren't you leaving?"

Akito replied, "I have something to do. I'll leave in a while." 

After everyone was gone, leaving only him, Akito sat for a while until even the sounds in the hallway disappeared. He stood up, locked the classroom door from the inside, and walked to the trash can. Using the iron hook he usually used for trash disposal, he reached in and pulled out, searching and searching.

Unable to find the pile of white paper covered in formulas, Akito grew anxious. He directly used his hands to sift through the garbage. His grey clothes, worn today, picked up some disgusting and sticky substances, probably remnants of bananas and apples left in the bin for who knows how long.

Finally finding it, Akito picked up the shredded papers with two fingers, delicately placing each piece on the table. Using the tablecloth, he carefully wiped his hands clean before neatly folding the pieces and placing them, one by one, into his pocket.

Walking downstairs to the corner, Nick, with a gloomy face, asked, "What were you doing?"

With sleeves still stained with garbage, Akito replied, "I was taking out the trash."